Guangzhou Dublin International College of Life Sciences & Technology (GDIC), founded in 2020, is a joint international college established in collaboration between University College Dublin (UCD) and South China Agricultural University (SCAU).
Located on the SCAU campus in the sprawling port city of Guangzhou (the “City of Flowers”in southern China and an important trade centre), GDIC provides a world-class international educational experience that equips its multilingual graduates with the talents to thrive in an increasingly globalised and connected society.
GDIC’s focus is on Life Science & Technology in the context of the agriculture and food science environments, and particularly the discipline areas of Biological Sciences, Food Quality & Safety, and Horticulture.
GDIC is one of three joint international colleges UCD operates in China. The Beijing-Dublin International College (BDIC) focuses on information, communications and technology (ICT) and finance and economics. The Chang’an-Dublin International College (CDIC) in Xi’an focuses on transportation engineering and related matters.
All students enjoy the opportunity of short or long stay study periods in Dublin as well as exposure to Irish cultural events organised on campus in Guangzhou.
Programmes offered
BSc Biological Sciences (BGS3)
BSc Food Quality & Safety (FSS4)
Apply
Admission to GDIC is through the National College Entrance Examination, or Gaokao, process. GDIC has its own listing and prospective students should apply directly to GDIC indicating their preferred programme of study.
Fees
The fees are 65,000 RMB per year.
Degree Awards
Students complete a single programme of study for their chosen course. On successful completion of all modules students are awarded two degrees, one from University College Dublin and one from South China Agricultural University (SCAU).
Learning Through English
GDIC provides an immersive English language environment for its students. The English language modules at GDIC are specifically designed as (opens in a new window)English for Academic Purposes (EAP) modules.
All modules are taught through English.
The English language programme at GDIC is overseen by the UCD Applied Language Centre.
In first year (Stage One) students take modules in ‘English for University Studies’ and ‘English for General Academic Purposes’. In second year (Stage Two), they continue their academic English journey through the ‘Academic Writing and Communication Skills’ and ‘English for Specific Academic Purposes’ modules.
These modules develop students’ English language proficiency in the context of university study and prepare them for learning, and eventually working later in their careers, in English speaking environments.
In this learning model the skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking are integrated, with the context of the students’ wider learning at the forefront. They are guided in areas such as concurrent note-taking while listening; summarising and synthesising information from different sources; and demonstrating academic integrity. In their assessed work students write about and present on topics within their degree major. They learn to give effective presentations, to engage in seminar-style discussions, and to critically evaluate what they have read or listened to in their writing and speaking.
This English language teaching model is centred around small groups of up to 20 students. This allows teachers to give individualised feedback in office hours, in assignments and in class.
On successful completion of the English language modules in Stages 1 and 2 all students are deemed to have met the UCD English Language Requirements.